PS 3525 
.U47 P6 
1920 
Copy 1 



OEMS OF LIFE 



BY VIDA MUNDEN 



POEMS OF LIFE 



BY VIDA MUNDEN 






N^^ 



Respectfully dedicated 

to 

my first teacher, 

R. H. HIGGINS. 



Copyright, 1920 
by 
Vida Munden. 



JUN 12)320 
©I1A570342 



IF WE ONLY KNEW 

If we only knew 

And justly would compare 
The weight of our own burdens 

With those that others bear, 
Oft' we'd overtake a brother 

Burdened with a heavy load, 
And would think our burdens lighter 

When we'd helped him o'er life's roaa. 

If we only knew 

And would with others share 
Their gladness and their sorrow, 

Their freedom and their care. 
Life would be as radiant sunshine. 

Growing brighter all the v/hile ; 
Then we'd love each other better 

And would smile a sweeter smile. 

If we only knew 

The crosses others bear. 
Only knew their humble spirits 

As they bow in secret prayer, 
Perhaps we'd search ourselves more closely 

For the faults that dwell within 
And would judge our friends less harshly 

When we'd found the hidden sin. 



(3) 



If we only knew 

The danger of sin's snare, 
We would see with eyes more watchful 

And of its fatal clutch beware ; 
And if we knew that close behind us 

Our loved ones would our steps pursue, 
We would ever be more careful — 

Yes, if then we only knew. 



EXCELSIOR 

Into the zenith far above — 

That holy realm of boundless love — 

The star decked region of the sky, 

I gaze, I wonder as I lie 

And count the bright, celestial gems 

That deck earth's royal diadem; 

But ere I Ve counted, in twinkles bright, 

These innumerable meteors all unite 

And form one grand, etheral mound 

Eternal, endless, without bound. 

Such peaks, such crags I visualize 

In the mountain regions of the skies 

That through life, then death our souls might 

climb 
To attain the heights of bliss sublime 



(4) 



And ne'er a summit could we see 

In this endless bliss of eternity; 

For no bound can mark the heights of love 

Nor mate the joy of heaven above. 

Up higher — higher — higher still! 
O Heart ! within love's raptures thrill ! 
guide me on, thou tiny star, 
Straight to the gate that stands ajar. — 
Inspire me, lead me by thy light ; 
Gleam thou upon me through the nigiit 
Until my bosom swells with love 
Divinely perfect as above. 

ENDURANCE 

ThoiTis grow among sweet roses 

Whose fragrance fill the air, 
The faces of bright posies 

Are not forever fair; 
There are sorrows mingled with gladness — 

Joys only last for a while, 
And then there comes a sadness — 

But after all, breaks a smile. 

There are cloudy days, dark and dreary. 
There are chilling nights of gloom ; 

There are times when the heart is weary 
And the soul seems far from Home — 



(5) 



The rains come down from heaven 

And darken the zenith above. — 
The heart is cleansed — we're forgiven, 

Then shines the sunhght of love. 

Should the year be ail of summer, 

There would be no hope for the spring ; 
Could a mortal heart ne'er murniur. 

The soul would never sing. 
Bright tints of vegetation 

Shoot from the dark, cold sod ; 
So, from earthly habitation, 

The soul looks up to God. 

To shadows the sunbeams dance sprightly. 

The nightingale sings through the night ; 
In the gloom a torch shines most brightly : 

No darkness — no hope for the light, 
So be patient, soul, in thy living; 

Through death thine endurance shall chine ; 
Though 'mid thorns, thy beauty be giving 

Like the rose, spread thy fragrance sublime. 



IF 



If you begin in life's dark vale 
To climb Mount Zion's summit. 

Then when into sin's gorge you fall. 
By struggling, you overcome it; 

(6) 



If alone you tread along life's road, 

A heavy burden bearing, 
Then, weary, help a brother too. 

His weight of sorrow sharing; 
Or if you aim at lofty mark 

And, failing, aim still higher; 
If you can stand with steady faith 

And speechless, daunt the liar; 
If you can build a tower high 

And yet in heart be humble. 
Then see it fall, rebuild its walls. 

Nor shriek to hear it tumble ; 
If you can smile at poverty's grin 

Or laugh at misfortune's scorning; 
If the ache from the thorn of grief you soothe 

Through your hope for the rose of morning ; 
If you can tune you heart to sing 

Sweet songs when it is breaking; 
If you have courage to endure 

Distress when your nerves are quaking ; 
If you can stand when comrades fall. 

The banner of constancy waving. 
Firm, undaunted, for justice and law, 

Throughout the battle you're braving, 
When ''Victory!" is echoed far away, 

If in the end you've won it. 
Then count yourself a hero brave 

And tell the world you've done it. 



(7) 



TRUE GREATNESS 

There are actions prompted by duty ; 
There are motives prompted by love ; 

The life we live 

Is the deed we give 
To the God of heaven above. 

There are proud hearts thirsty for greatness; 
There are those who vain riches seek ; 

But heaven's dews fall 

Upon the simple — the small — 
The lowly — the humble — the meek. 

There are pleasures that last for a season. 
And treasures — yea, great hoards of gold ; 

But the cost of good name 

Is not fortune or fame, 
But the heart of rich secrets untold. 



SONG OF SERVICE 

'Tis better to serve than be served. 
And better to give than receive — 
Just simply to say 
In a humble way, 
"Here am I, dear Lord, I believe." 



(8) 



Tis better to trust, having faith, 
With a constant hope ever bright, 

Than gain the world 

When the soul is hurled 
Into the ravines of night. 

The peasant who toils sings a song; 
The king on his throne bows in care ;- 

'Tis noble to live 

When service we give — 
Submissive, abiding in prayer. 



DEVOTION 

Into every life it steals. 
Unto every heart appeals — 
This, God's gift of sacred love, 
Handed down from heaven above — 
True devotion. 

'Tis the unity of bliss. 
Atmosphere of holiness, 
Peaceful state in which to live, 
Precious gift that hearts may give- 
True devotion. 

(9) 



'Tis a grand, ennobling trait, 
Man to God it doth relate, 
Binding in affection's ties 
Earthly kindred to the skies- 
True devotion. 



MAKE LIFE WORTH WHILE 

Make life worth while ! 
Treat it with a high regard. 
Not as something to discard, 
Let it not by sin be marred — 

Keep it pure. 

Make life worth while! 
Keep it free from sin's vile stain. 
To its highest aims attain, 
Count it not as something vain. 

But worth while. 

Make life worth while ! 
Something worthy of a price, 
Bought by self's own sacrifice. 
Let its virtues know no vice — 

Keep it clean. 

(10) 



Make life worth while ! 
Keep it ever clean and pure, 
Brave its battles and endure 
And its crown you will procure 

After while. 



THE WATER LILY 

On the bosom of the river 

A little flower grew, 
A little lily, white and fair. 

No blight its beauty knew. 

In the splendor of its beauty, 

With petals open wide, 
The lily grew while there reposing 

On the bosom of the tide. 

And a fragrant little flower 
Was this lily, white and fair, 

Sending forth across the water 
Scents of sweetness in the air. 

But alas! its petals shedded 
As it withered with decay, 

And the river that had blessed it 
Bore its scattered form away. 



(11) 



So with life, my friend, we're living . 

On the bosom of its tide ; 
Though we be not pure as lilies. 

Like fragrance, mission spreads out wide. 

And when old age life's youth shall wither, 

When like the lily we decay, 
Then the God who long hath blessed us 

Will our spirits bear away. 



THE RIPPLING BROOK 

*'0 thou tiny, rippling brook. 

Rushing so swiftly by, 
Why dost thou run so cheerfully, 

Never stopping to sigh ? 

*'Dost thou never weary grow 

Of running all the day ? 
How strange that you should always run 

And never stop to play." 

''Come, go with me, my little maid, 

For I have no time to stay ; 
Just follow me and a lesson learn 

As we journey on the way." 

(12) 



So on and on the tiny stream ran, 

But the gay little maiden stayed ; 
Its wild, ceaseless journey it still pursued 

As on she busily played. 

'Though a small, rippling streamlet, a pond you 
can fill; 

By your power a great mill is turned." 
Such were the thoughts of the inspired youth 

And this is the lesson she learned : 

That whatever our mission, some good w^e can do, 
Though to us the deeds may seem small ; 

We too, may, by littles, in our own feeble way 
Thus willingly help the great all. 



JUST A TINY SEED 



'Tis so simple, indeed — 

Just a dry little seed, 

But strange when we learn all about it ; 

Just to beat up a clod 

Of earth's fertile sod. 

Then plant it and see nature sprout it. 

(13) 



It bursts forth in sight 

To the air and sunlight 

And raindrops upon it patter ; 

Then later 'twill be 

A great fruitful tree 

And seed of its own fruit scatter. 

So it is with a deed 

Just as with the seed — 

If we plant it as through life we're sowing, 

Into life it will sprout 

And toward heaven peep out 

And keep growing — and growing — and growing. 

THE FOUR SEASONS 

Springtime came and brought forth leaves 

To clothe the naked forest trees 
And filled the air with sweet perfume 

Of fragrant flowers in their bloom. 
Just o'er the woodland hill was heard 

The song of the merry mocking bird. 

The sunbeams danced, the days were wanii, 

The busy bees began to swami. 
And in the gladness of the spring 

New life was in most everything; 
But summer, with its golden rays. 

Brought changes to the fleeting days. 

(14) 



Bursting buds into leaves had grown, 
Wee birdies from their nests had flown ; 

The beautiful flowers that bloomed in May 
Had everyone withered and faded away, 

While new ones peeped through the sparkling dew 
As if the glories of morning to view. 

Ripe fruit bent low the orchard bowers 
That were in spi'ing adorned with flowers 

Tiny seeds, in springtime sown, 
Had then into rich harvests grown. 

And autumn, with its sickle, came 
To harvest in the golden grain. 



In the season's sunny glow 

The golden corn was bending low; 

The orchard trees with fruit were bent 
As if to thank God Who sent 

The bountiful harvest of the year 
And glorious season of good cheer. 

The modest heads of the goldenrod 

In the gentle breeze did nod ; 
Green leaves had changed to colors bright 

And with the wind, were taking flight; 
They fluttered by, then down they lay, 

While autumn gently passed away. 

(15) 



And then came winter's chilling blast 

With its host of snow-flakes flying fast ; ^ 

Whirling 'round and 'round, they settled down 
And spread a white carpet on the ground. 

The merry snowbirds danced in glee 
And twittered their joyful jubilee. 

Just as the beautiful days of May 
Changed to a golden summer day ; 

Just as autumn's goldenrod 

Was trampled into wintei-'s sod, 

So the dead, cold days of winter change 
Into the live warm days of spring. 



BACK TO THE FARM 

Back to the farm with all its charms, 
Back to the hills and rippling rills ; 
Back to the woodland where children roam, 
Back to that palace "Home Sweet Home." 

Back to the fields with their bounteous yields. 
Back to the sun, the work and fun; 
And then for a ride on a load of hay 
At the breezy close of an autumn day. 

(16) 



Back to the light of the homefires bright 
And the jolly, good jokes of the old homefolks, 
Where they tell the old stories Grandfather told- 
Those childhood stories which never grow old. 

Back for a rest at the place I love best, 
Where the mind is free and the heart in glee, 
Where the soul is in worship with heaven above, 
At earth's holy temple of friendship and love. 



A FRIENDLY HANDSHAKE AND A SMILE 



When your sad heart is repining 
And clouds show no silvery lining; 

When your faintest hope has faded 
And with gloom your life is shaded, 

Tis boosting, yea, 'tis then worth while — 
Just a friendly handshake and a smile. 

When the world seems to ignore you 
And its door is closed before you; 

When with patience you've been knocking. 
You think it kind, yet somewhat shocking. 

When someone meets you after while 
With a friendly handshake and a smile. 

(17) 



When life's steps you shall have counted 
And its topmost rung surmounted; 

When at last fame shall have crowned you, 
How noble then to look around you 

And greet your booster after while 

With a friendly handshake and a smile. 

BE A LITTLE SUNBEAM 

Be a little sunbeam, a shining ray of light, 

With your smiles of gladness make this old world 

bright ; 
Cheer someone in sorrow^ stir some heart with 

mirth ; 
Help the Savior scatter peace to all the earth. 

Be a little sunbeam, drive away the night ; 
Brighten life's horizon with your morning light. 
Though dark clouds obscure you and none your 

light can view, 
The clouds will break away, then all will shine 

anew. 

Be a little sunbeam of the heavenly sun (Son) ; 
Shine with all your might ere life's short day is 

done; 
When life's light shall have faded far in the golden 

west, 
Let it then be said that you have done your best. 

(18) 



WHICH DAY WAS THE BRIGHTER? 

I awoke one bright, sunny morning 

And peeped through my window to view 
The beautiful flowers awakened 

And bathed in the sparkling dew. 
But I, in my drowsiness, idled 

The golden morning away, 
And my heart caught no ray of sunshine — 

'Twas a gloomy, dreary day. 

I awoke one dark, cloudy morning 

And saw, on my window pane. 
That the clouds in great drops were shedding 

Their tears of falling rain. 
But my heart caught the tune of their patter 

And danced with them in their spright — 
The sun smiled out in its radiance 

And life was a rainbow bright. 

LIFE IS LIKENED TO: 

AROSE 
'Twas beautiful and fair. 
And I thought it rare, 
But its piercing thorns I dreaded; 
Next morning I picked 
This rose, — vainly pricked 
My fingers. — The petals shedded. 

(19) 



A MOUNTAIN 

I began to climb 

Life's mountain sublime 

And up its steep was stepping-, 

When I looked far below, 

Hurled a dart at my foe. 

And alas ! my feet were slipping. 

A ROAD 

I traveled life's road 

With a heavy load, — 

Shaip stones were wounding my feet 

Till the cross I found. 

Sin's burden laid down, 

Then life's feeble steps became fleet. 

A DAY 

Life's morning, they say, 

Is the brightest of day. — 

While its shadows fall to the west. 

Are we catching the gleams 

Of the bright sunbeams ? 

I say, are we doing our best ? 



(20) 



THE LAST TWILIGHT 

At evening when the last twihght 

Gleams o'er the western hills, 
As the darkness of the gloomy night 

My rugged pathway fills, 
I think of the day past and gone 

And oh ! how sad the thought 1 
As memory presses to my heart 

The worthless works I've wrought. 

then how I wish to recall the day 

And labor for the right ! 
How I wish that my rugged, gloomy way 

Be flooded with sunlight! 
Yet I cannot recall the day past, 

Nor erase the record of time ; 
But if the future I spend right, 

'Twill make my life sublime. 

At evening when life's last twilight 

Gleams o'er the hills of time. 
When the darkness of death's gloomy night 

Hangs o'er our path with crime, 
Will we have spent the day of life 

In working for the right 
Or, by worthless labor, will there be 

No hope to give us light? 

(21) 



LIFE'S HILL 

'Tis a hard, bitter pill 

When you start up life's hill 

Hand in hand with friends you confide in 

And perchance you look 'round 

Just as they fall down, 

And you see them go downward slidin'. 

'Tis a long way to go 

From the valley below 

To the loftiest peak of life's mountain 

When you're journeying alone 

Over boulder and stone 

And each weary step you are countin'. 

It is awfully hard 

When you pathway is barred 

By obstructions that boldly confront you, 

And then when you try 

To slyly slip by 

The foe hurls his darts to daunt you. 

Now here and then there 

Is a fiend's fatal snare 

Set for pilgrims who are not careful ; 

So, lest in dismay 

We be snatched from the way. 

Dear friend, lets' ever be prayerful. 

(22) 



'Tis a straight, narrow way 

That leads unto day 

And few there be that find it ; 

Though the just, through death's night; 

Will climb to life's height 

Where the hill throws its shadow behind it. 

LIFE'S LADDER 

Life's ladder we climb 

To the heights sublime — 

'Tis a long, long way to the top ; 

And it takes lots of pluck 

To ever get up — 

Reach higher — climb upward — don't stop. 

Don't ever look dovvn 

And upon others frown 

Just because they're climbing below ; 

But you'd better keep step 

Lest your own feet should slip 

And downward you tumble below. 

There are others ahead 
Who the same steps have led, 
And upward they're climbing still ; 
So don't stop to count 
The rungs that you mount, 
But follow them up with a will. 

(23) 



Take your troubles and pa-ck 

Them all on your back 

And start up the way with a grin ; 

Just take each new task, 

Like a rung, with a grasp 

And when you have finished you'll win. 

When life's highest aim 

You shall have attained, 

Pray, boost those who after you climb ; 

Just give them a cheer 

When they're climbing near, 

'Twill make life supremely sublime. 

MISSION 

In some strange, mysterious way. 
Controlled by Mother Nature's sway, 

God with love doth bind all hearts 

And to each creature grace imparts ; — 

Yea, God, Who counts the sparrow's fall, 
Doth in His wisdom care for all. 

He maketh all to understand 
The power of His mighty hand, 

And by their own instinct impelled, 
Are all to their own mission held. 

Well may it so be understood 

That God thus planned it for our good. 

(24) 



The little bird He taught to sing 

And food unto her young ones bring; 

The eagle gave He wings to fly ; 
The seipent in the dust doth lie ; 

And mankind, in God's image made, 
Was cursed because he disobeyed. 

God loveth all, both great and small, 

And talent gave He unto all. 
Though trodden underneath sin's sod, 

Still is it visible to God ; 
And when He comes to count His gain. 

No trust will He the slothful deign. 

help me, God, for Thee to live 
And unto Thee my talent give. 

Not for glory I may gain. 
But by humility attain 

A lofty vision for the soul 

And, onward pressing, reach the goal. 

MY PRAYER 

God, I ask not that my path 
Be ever filled with light ; 

1 only ask that Thou mays't lead 

My faltering steps aright. 
Nor do I ask that Thou, life's sky 
From every cloud should clear ; 

(25) 



I only ask that throug-h the storm, 

Thou, in Thy strength, be near. 
Make not my burdens always light — 

Teach me my cross to bear. 
Thus make me abb to escape 

The tempter's fatal snare. 
Give not to life the eagle's wings. 

Nor wings of sudden flight ; 
But let me, step by step, surmount 

The summit's lofty height. 
And as I to the boulders cling. 

When hope for life seems vain, 
give me courage to endure 

The agony of pain. 
give me faith, my Lord, I pray. 

The jagged cliffs to climb, 
That upward, still, my soul may press 

Toward realms of life sublime. 

OUT ON LIFE'S SEA 

Out on life's sea we are adrift 

At chance of fate or life ; 
Lest our course should lie with the currents swift, 
For us there is constant strife. 
Though we need not fear 
If aright we steer; — 
Press onward, friend, be brave ! 

(26) 



Between us and the other side 

Now rolls the foaming surge. 
Beware ! for death's dark, fatal tide 
The wrecked life doth submerge. 
My friend, be wise 
Lest at sui-prise 
The billows sink thy soul. 

The billows dash, the breakers roar, 

And fatal seems the night ; 
But see ! on yonder peaceful shore 
Shines forth eternal light. 
Press onward, soul. 
Toward the goal, — 
The light beams on thy way. 

courage, rise ! why dost thou die 

So near the blissful shore ! 
Sad ! sad ! and awful is their cry 
Who sink to rise no more. 
soul, be strong! 
It is not long — 
The shore is just ahead. 



(27) 



"TIME YET" 

'Time yet", we hear the sinner say 

Without a tear or sigh ; 
'Time yet to heed the Savior's call ; 

Time yet before I die." 

The Spirit lingers, all is still — 
'Time yet," the heart doth say, 

"Days still are bright, I'll wait until 
A more convenient day." 

Days glide away and years roll by. 

The Savior knocks again; 
'Time yet" is the sad, rejecting cry. — 

Once more His pleadings wane. 

The door is locked, the Savior grieves, 
"Time yet", so sad to hear! 

Yet once more is His loving voice 
Heard in the stubborn ear. 

Still He waits with listening ears, 
With a sad and thorn-crushed brow 

And gently whispers, "Let Me in; 
Take time to open now." 



(28) 



And lingering near that dying soul, 

Oh ! how it breaks His heart 
To hear the words, 'Time yet for me ; 

Holy One depart!" 

Gently — gently. He knocks again: 

"Time yet," is still the cry; 
Rejected, grieved, mocked and spurned, 

He sadly passes by. 

"Time yet" is then the awful cry, 
" Time yet' has made me late ; 

Time yet' has been the ruin of life 
And now leads to my fate." 



WITHIN THE CELL OF SELF 

wretched heart ! why dost thou slumber 

In thine iron prison cell ? 
Count thyself among the number 

Easing slowly down to hell? 
Ah! within are shadows driven 

By the rays against thy walls ; 
The soul from peace hath sorrow riven, 

Its hope despondency appalls. 

(29) 



Break these selfish bars asunder 

That Thy love, Lord, beam within ; 
Let me view once more with wonder 

Life beyond the shades of sin : 
Farther reaching, more achieving, 

Heaven's beauty let me see; 
Service giving, joy receiving, — 

Freedom — light — eternity. 

AT THE DOOR 

O Spirit, why dost Thou linger 
At the threshold of my heart ! 

With Thy knocking I am weary. 
Wilt Thou not once more depart ? 

But oh! 'tis the self-same Stranger 
Who so oft' has knocked before. . 

Can I still afford to slight Him, 
Or shall I undo the door ? 

this Friends, so kind and patient, 
It gives me grief to cast away; 

Yet now, Christ, I can't confess Thee : 
Depart until another day. 

But another day may not be granted ! 

My soul, suppose this snould be true ? 
Turn the bolt! but it is rusty; 

The door, it seems, I can't undo. 

(30) 



still the pierced hand is knocking, 
Saddened is the thorn-crushed brow, 

Touched with pity are his whispers. 
But I cannot heed them now. 

Knocking, knocking ; yes, still knocking 
At this tightly fastened door ! 

Yet, once more, and He may never 
Thus disturb me any more. 

how can I still reject Him! 

How can I bear to grieve Him so ! 
Demons drive away my pity. 

And so I bid the Savior go. 

But hark ! again I hear Him knocking. 
Once more do I hear His cry; 

Still He lingers at the threshold 
And I cannot pass Him by. 

Thee, Christ, have 1 rejected. 
Often have I spurned Thy word ; 

Yet, with listening ears so patient. 
Thou, my cry, hast kindly heard. 

Now this bolted door I open. 
Giving up the things within ; 

This proud heart I now surrender — 
I will let my Saviour in. 

(31) 



